Separation of magnetic iron ore from its associated non-magnetic or feebly-magnetic minerals.



D. M. BARRINGER. SEPARATION OF MAGNETIC IRON ORE FROM ITS ASSOCIATEDNON-MAGNETIC 0R FEEBLY MAGNETIC MINERALS. APPLICATION FILED MAY I0.I9II- RENEWED IULY II. I917.

Imewtov JIIIOAM M.

Patented Feb. 19, 1918.

N @NE D. M. BARRINGER. SEPARATION OF MAGNETIC mow ORE FROM ITSASSOCIATED NON-MAGNETIC 0R FEEBLY MAGNETIC'MINERALS.

ARPLICATION FILED MAY 10, 1911,

RENEWED JULY 17. 19]]- Patented Feb. 19, 1918.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

Inweuhw DanZZjV/orw a flarn'fgar 1K ximcawwe TATE% PATENT DANIEL M.BARRINGER, 0F WAYNE, PENNSYLVANIA.

SEPARATION OF MAGNETIC IRON ORE FROM ITS ASSOCIATED NON-MAGNETIC ORFEEBLY-MAGNETIC MINERALS.

Application filed May 10, 1911, Serial No. 626,291.

To uZZ w/mm it lll j/ oncern:

lie it known that I, l).\.\iEL M. BAR- uixonu. ot Wayne. in the countyof Delaware and State at Pennsylvania, have invented certain new anduseful lmprove ments in the Separation of Magnetic iron ()re from ItsAssociated Non-Magnetic or Feeldy-Magnelic lilinerals. whereof thefollowing is a specification, reterence being had to the :u-rompanyingdrawings.

My invention relates to a process of separation which is carried out bysuspending the mixed materials in finely divided state over the pole ofan electro-magnet energized by an alternating current. with inlerposition of a plate of electrically conductive material. When this isdone. especially if the material be agitated to assist the separation.the magnetic material, as for example. magnetic iron ore. travelsconstantly toward the edge of the plate, with an appearance as thoughrepelled from the pole of the electromagnct beneath the separatingplate. My process for the utilization of this behavior of magneticmaterial in order to efl'ect its separation is to cause the mixedmaterial in a properly divided state to travel constantly, preferablywith concomitant agitation. down an inclined trough of electricallyconductive material, (or with such material imme diately below it),beneath which is placed a series of electro-magnets energized by analternating electric current. Under these circumstances, the magneticmaterials are caused to continuously travel to and as it were climb overthe dividing ridges which form the edges of the trough.

In order to illustrate the process which I have invented, I have shownand will briefly describe an apparatus conveniently devised for thepractice of the process.

In the accompanying drawings. Figure I, is a plan view of such anapparatus for the practice of the process.

Fitz. IT. is a longitudinal. view thereof.

Fig. III. is a cross sectional view thereof.

The apparatus shown in Fig. 1, comprises a series of disconnectedinclined central troughs 1, 1, of copper or other electricallyconductive material, preferably of considerable thickness. At the end ofeach trough is a discharge space 10. Underneath these troughs and in theplane of the median lino thereof, are a series of electro-magnets 2. 2.2, energized by an alternating electric current derived from ageneratorindicated at --atented Feb. 19, EH8.

Renewed July 17, 1917. Serial No. 181.176.

(:r in Fig. II of the drawings. This generator is connected through asuitable line 1 to the magnets 2, 2, 2.

Each trough 1. overlaps at both edges, and thereby forms a practicallycontinuous surface with the side trough -;l, at, with formation ofdividing or intervening ridges 11, 11, between them. Beyond the lowerend of the trough 1, the. side troughs at, at, converge and dischargeinto the next succeeding central trough. Above the edges of the centraltroughs are suspended longitudinal pipes 5, 5, from which a series ofwater or air jets are directed toward the ridges formed where the edgesol the central trough overlap the side troughs, which jets servetomechanically facilitate the. travel into the side trough of theseparated magnetic material which the magnetic action or tiux has causedto advance to the edge of the 7 central trough.

in employing this apparatus in the practiee of my process comminutedmagnetic iron ore withits associated minerals is directed into the upperend olf the uppermost central trough down which it is carried by astream oi water. As the mixed materials pass over the electro-nmgnetsthe particles of magnetic iron ore travel continuously and constantlytowardthe edges ol the trough. and climb against gravity over thedividing ridges into the said troughs. while the non magnetic or teeblymagnetic gangue pas es on and is discharged through the discharge space10. at the lower extremity of each central trough. The magnetic orewhich has climbed the ridges of the central trough. passes on assistedby the jets of water into the side troughs. where the water flowing downthese troughs carries the material into the central trough next below inthe series. where the operation is repeated. resulting in successiveseparations. continued until a -pure residuum is obtained. the degree ofpurity depending upon the number of times that it is found desirable torepeat the operation. The water not only serves to convey the materialdown to the trough. but it also has a tendency to make the particles ofthe mixture stand apart as they pass through the magnetized portion ofthe separator and the magnetic particles, therefor. more easily detachthemselves from the gangue.

I find that the process of separation is facilitated by the employmentof a circuit breaker in connection with the current by ltltl which themagnets are energized, so as to make and break the current at shortintervals. For this purpose an interrupter, indicated at I in Fig. II ofthe drawings, may be used. This appears to occasion additional agitationof the ore and prevents the accidental mechanical carrying over ofnonmagnetic particles by the magnetic particles as they climb over thedividing ridges into the side troughs. It will be understood that thenumber of the separators in the entire series may be increased ascircun'istanees dictate.

It also will be umlerstood that the eltectiveness of my apparatusdepends upon the proper management of a large number of readilycontrollable factors. Thus, (a) the central metal trough mayvary inthickness and may be made of copper, aluminum. or other metal or alloythertof. (b) The slopes of the sides of the trough, and its width may bevaried. The angle of inclination of the trough may be varied so as toregulate the rapidity of flow of material. This may be readilyaccomplished by a suitable cam, indicated at C in Fig. II of thedrawings. ((Z) The strength of the clectro-maguets or. their distancefrom the bottom of the trough may be varied. The strength or thefrequency of the electric current may be varied. (f) The rate at whichthe material or the water may be fed to the apparatus may vary. Thefrequency with which the current is interrupted by the circuit-breakermay vary.

All of these factors play their part in effecting the separation of theore. They may all be readily varied. By such variation a very accurateregulation and control of the process is secured. By carrying out theprocess by the use of a number of successive separators such as I havedescribed,

and by varying the above named factors 7 as between successiveseparators, I am able to secure a very delicateregulation of the processso that I may not merely separate magnetic from non-magnetic materialsin the broader use of the terms, but I may after such separation furtherseparate highly magnetic from feebly magnetic materials, as for example,magnetite from ilmenite.

Although I have spoken of the magnetic iron ore as being repelled fromthe pole by reason of the interposition of the electrically conductiveplate, yet I wish it to be understood that I am merely speaking ofappearances. I do not here undertake to give any explanation of thephenomena which occur. Having thus described my invention, I claim 1.The process of separating magnetic materials from non-magneticmaterials, which consists in subjecting the magnetic materials travelingwith the non-magnetic materials by gravity on a substantiallynon-magnetic plate of high electrical conductivity tn the influence ofmagnetic flux created by an electro-magnet energized by an alternatingcurrent of electricity, and thereby diverting the magnetic particlesfrom their normal path of travel through the intluei'ice ot' themagnetic flux thereon.

2. The process of separating magnetic materials from non-magneticmaterials, which consists in subjecting thcraagnetic materials travelingwith the non-magnetic materials by gravity on a substantiallynon-magnetic plate of high electrical conductivity to the influence ofmagnetic flux created by an electro-magnet having a fixed positionrelative to said plate and energized by an alternating current ofelectricity, and thereby diverting the magnetic particles from theirnormal path of travel through the influence of the magnetic fluxthereon.

3. The process of separating magnetic from non-magnetic materials whichconsists in com'eying the mixed materials by water down an inclinedtroughof substantially non-magnetic material of high electricalconductivity, and subjectin said materials to the influence of amagnetic flux created by an electro-magnet energized by an alternatingcurrent ofelectricity, the Water acting to separate the particles andreduce the friction of the same on the trough and on each other, wherebysaid magnetic materials are caused to be separated from the nonmagneticmaterials and travel toward the edges of the trough and over the same.

4. The process of separating magnetic materials from materials which areless magnetic, which consists in causing both materials to travel on asubstantially non-magnetic plate of high electrical conductivity, andsimultaneously subjecting them to the influence of magnetic flux,created by an electro-magnet energized by an alternating current ofelectricity, said electromagnet being situated upon the opposite side ofthe conducting plate from the traveling materials, whereby the'magneticparticles are diverted fromtheir normal path of travel, through theinfluence of magnetic flux thereon.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name at Philadelphia,Pennsyl- Vania, this sixth day of May, 1911.

DANIEL M. BARRINGER.

Witnesses HENRY T. BECKWITH, JAMES H. BELL.

